The mission of AAGEN is to promote, expand and support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leadership in Government. In accordance with AAGEN’s mission, the scholarship program has been designed for students in their continuing education to better prepare themselves for positions of leadership and trust in the Federal, State and Local governments.

Two (2) scholarships for $1,500.00 and two (2) scholarships for $1,000 will be awarded in 2018. The AAGEN scholarship is a one-time award; former AAGEN scholarship winners are not eligible.

The applications for the scholarship will be accepted untilApril 1, 2018.

For the more information about the AAGEN scholarship program and how to apply.

It is with a heavy heart to inform AAGEN members that Bel Leong Hong recently loss her mother-Fong Gay Leon Wu. Bel Leong Hong is a longstanding BOD member and founder of AAGEN. As an AAGEN family, please continue to pray for her family as they mourn the loss of their loved one.

More information about the funeral arrangements can be found by visiting the link to Fong Gay Leon Wu’s funeral page.

December 21, 2017

Message from the AAGEN Chair!

On behalf of the incoming board, I'd like to thank you for your confidence in us to lead AAGEN. It is an honor to be elected as your next Chair. The leadership team and I take our new responsibilities seriously and will represent you with the utmost transparency and boldness. I'd like to thank the nominating committee chair, Carson Eoyang and his team, Shanel Lu, Bel Leong-Hong and Sue Okuba for working tirelessly to fill the slate and conduct the elections.

I'd like to ask all of the AAGEN members to take a moment to think about AAGEN and its important role in creating leaders and a diverse workforce. Tomorrow's problems demand bright, hard-working leaders, who will need the AAGEN community to provide support as mentors/coaches, advocates, and role models. The new board will be meeting in January to set the tone for 2018. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, please feel free to let us know.

Thank you, Tin Cao, for your leadership over the last four years and the positive path you have set us on. I would also like to recognize the unwavering work of Huong Pham and Thanh Pham whose behind-the-scenes work have been critical to the success of AAGEN's programs. Let me also thank the outgoing officers, board members, and volunteers for your service and selfless time - please know that AAGEN will continue to call on you! Finally, I want to thank all of YOU and wish you a memorable and special holiday season. Rest up and enjoy - we will have a lot of work ahead of us in 2018!

Cheers! Vivian and the Board

December 15, 2017

The Asian American Government Executives Network (AAGEN) is deeply saddened and mourns the loss of San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, who passed away early this week from cardiac arrest at age 65.Mayor Lee epitomized the leadership qualities that AAGEN promotes of an outstanding civil servant. He served as a role model for AAPIs in government service. In 2011, Lee was elected the 43rd mayor of San Francisco, becoming the first elected mayor of Chinese descent. After being appointed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, he won his first full term later that year, and won re-election in 2015. Previously, he served as director of the city’s Human Rights Commission from 1991 to 1996, and then as city administrator from 2005 leading up to his election as mayor. He was well known and respected in the Bay Area.

Mayor Lee will be remembered for his advocacy on immigrant rights and affordable housing. He was one of the first to declare a sanctuary city policy to protect immigrants, promising that "San Francisco is and always will be a sanctuary city." He also worked to create more affordable homes in the city, most importantly following the housing crisis that resulted from the tech boom.

Mayor Lee was an exemplary public servant and a fierce advocate for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

AAGEN Chairperson says, "Mayor Lee was a champion for AAPI civil rights and supporter of AAPIs. His legacy will continue to serve as an inspiration to the work of AAPI government workers for generations to come who are committed to making a difference in public service."

Asian American Government Employees Network President Comments on the Passing of Hawaiian Congressman Mark Takai

President of AAGEN Tin Cao expressed his sadness on behalf of the members of the Asian American Government Employees Network upon the passing of Hawaiian Congressman Mark Takai (D). Cao stated that "Congressman Takai was a good friend of the Asian community. One of the Congressman's first appearances was at AAGEN's Annual Leadership Workshop and Banquet last year. He spoke to the audience proudly regarding his new political career as a member of Congress. "During Takai'scampaign in Hawaii, he was aware of the importance of touching bases with his supporters many of whom were government workers. AAGEN was excited to have Congressman Takai as the guest speaker as it was his inaugural speech to the Asian community.

Takai served in the Hawaii Army National Guard as a commissioned First Lieutenant as well as other positions such as the Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Base Officer. He was proud of his Meritorious Service Medal from the United States Army in 2009, the Distinguished Service Medal from the National Guard Association of the United States in 2011 and the Hawaii Distinguished Service Order in 2012. In the Congress, Takai served on the Committee on Armed Services and on the Committee on Small Business. Both House Committees are important to Hawaii and the Pacific Rim. As a freshman Congressman, it is important to get appointed to committees that would help your Congressional District. In this situation, he did more than that.

When Takai was diagnosed with a small tumor on his pancreas, he announced in May of this year that he would not seek re-election but would serve out his term. He passed away before serving out the remaining eight months of his term. He was at home in Hawaii during a Congressional recess and passed away with his family nearby.

Cao stated, "AAGEN has lost a good friend, who understood the importance of staying in touch with members of the community he represented both in Hawaii and on the Mainland."

Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management releases bulletinrecognizing two graduates of AAGEN's SES Development Program.

Current Events

Currently, there are no AAGEN events, but they will be posted soon. Stay tuned!!

AAGEN 2016 Workshop Sponsors & Partners

AAGEN offers our deep thanks to our workshop sponsors and partners.

Their support enables AAGEN to provide high quality executive training to federal employees and provide scholarships to students interested in public service. Their partnership with us also enables AAGEN to develop quality year-long executive development programs for future leaders who will deliver high quality service to the American public.